Use of betel quid and cigarettes among Bangladeshi patients in an inner-city practice: prevalence and knowledge of health effects

Abstract

Background: Betel quid chewing, often combined with tobacco chewing, is a common habit in the Indian subcontinent. It is associated with the development of malignancy of the oral mucosa and foregut. Among Asian communities in the United Kingdom (UK), Bangladeshis are particularly likely to retain this habit.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of betel quid chewing, smoking, and knowledge of health hazards associated with these habits among the Bangladeshi population in an east London general practice.

Method: A bilingual postal questionnaire to all 306 adults (25 years and over) identified as being of Bangladeshi origin within one practice in east London.

Results: The questionnaire response rate was 46%. The prevalence of betel quid chewing was over 80% with no sex difference. Men were more likely to smoke tobacco than women (men = 57%, women = 11%, X2 = 33.3, P < 0.001), but over half the women added tobacco to their quid for chewing. Whereas over 80% of both male and female respondents identified the health risk of smoking, only one third identified oral cancer as a risk. In all, 25% of respondents started chewing in the UK.

Conclusions: The low response rate is discussed. The findings indicate that the majority of Bangladeshi respondents are unaware of the health risks of a common social habit, although well informed about smoking risks. A government health warning should be introduced for betel quid sold in the UK.